Steel derrick or steel tower



, J. E. MURPHY STEEL DERRICK 0R STEEL TOWER I 4 Filed Dec. 11- 1924, 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 gwwnko o v 1,584,794 J. E. MURPHY STEEL DERRICK 'OR STEEL TOWER Filed Deb. 11. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 other arm thereof.

Patented May 18, 1926.

' carren stares I JAMES E. MURPHY, OF'MIDXVEST, WYOMING.

STEEL DERRICK OR STEEL TOWER.

Application filed December 11, 1924.

The invention relates to improven'ients in a steel derrick.

It is an object of the invention to provide a derrick or tower structure composed entirely of steel tree of connecting bolts, rivets or the like.

It a further object of the invention to provide a tower in which the angle irons, braces and girth connections all interlock to tightly unite the various parts of the tower structure to permit the same to be readily constructed and eliminate the use of bolts, rivets, etc.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a view in side elevation showing a tower constructed in accordance with .my invention, with parts broken away. Fig. 2 is asectional View showing the arrangement of the cross girths and tie rods. Fig. 3 is a detailed view showing the method of connecting the cross girths and Fig. l is a view similar to Fig. 3 showing the method of applying tie rods.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding parts, the numeral 1 designates the angle irons forming the tower. Four of these irons are used as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. The irons are preferably arranged so that they converge toward their upper end providing a relatively large base anda relatively narrow tower portion. The structure is also provided with transverse connecting girths 3'and interposed crossed tie rods or braces t. The girths 3 are disposed between each pair of angle irons and are connected thereto in the manner to be now described. Inasmuch as the connection between each girth and angle iron, as well as the braces, is identieal, a consideration of one will sullice for all. Each angle iron, therefore, has a slot 4t in one side and an elongated slot 5 in the Thegirths 3 are preterably of a cylindrical form intermediate their ends, having at the ends thereof, however, flattened portions 7 and 8, the flattened portion 7 of one girth being provided with a slot 9 opening from the bottom thereof, while the flat portion of the girth 8 is termed with a slot 10 opening from the top, the two girths being adapted to be interlocked, as the slots do not extend entirely through the flattened portions. The fiat Serial No. 755,307.

portion of each girth is also formed with a connecting not-ch 11 in the upper corner thereof to which hooked ends of the brace rods 4: are connected for purposes which will now appear.

in erecting the scall'old structure the girths on the opposite side of an angle iron are first inserted to occupy the position shown in Figure 3. In this position the flattened part 7 of one girth is at the upper end of the elongated slot and lies above the flattened portion of the lower girth. This upper flat portion of the girth is then lowered to the position shown in Figure 4 interlocking with the lower girth. The ends of the brace'rods 4c are placed within the notches ll in the upper corners of the flat portion of each girth. This holds the girths in an interlocked position. The lower ends of the brace rods 4: each connect with the angle irons by having hooked end portions enter apertures 12 therein so that one end of each brace is connected directly with an angle iron and the other end interlocked around one of the extended flat portions of the connecting girths.

It will be understood that the present dis closure is merely for the purpose of illustration and that the construction of the leg shown as an angle iron and the braces in the girths can be materially modified with out departing from this invention.

Having thus dcscribedmy invention, what I claim is:

1. A tower structure comprising a plurality of legs, each of angle iron formation,

each angle portion of each leg being provided with a plurality of apertures, the aperture in one portion extending beyond the other, connecting girths disposed between said legs, said girths being provided with extensions projecting through the apertures in the angle portion of the legs, interlocking means carried by the adjacentgirths for locking said girths together after passage through the apertures in each of said legs, and means for retaining said girths in an interlocked position.

2. A tower of the character described, comprising a plurality of legs, each of an angle iron formation, transverse girths con necting said legs, interlocking means carried by adjacent cooperating girt-hs, each passing through an aperture in one of said legs, and means for retaining said girths in an interlocked position, comprising" tie rods each having one end connected with a girth and the opposite end with one of said legs.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

JAMES E. MURPHY. 

